Shoe last



Aug. 4, 1931. MQSKQW 1,817,639 I SHOEILAST Filed April 5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ISADORE Mos/(0W am W ATTORNEY g- 4, l- MOSKOW 1,817,639

SHOE LAST Filed April 5, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INYENTOR IJADORE Moskow BYQ 4 g 4/ ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES VISADORE mosxow, or CLAYTON, MISSOURI SHOE LAST Application filed April 5,

This invention is an improvement on shoe last, more especially variable lasts and form fit shoe trees. 7

The main object of my invention is a long sought and important improvement in shoe lasts of the spreading or variable type, the main feature of which is the adaptability by an ingenious mechanical arrangement whereby the heel block of my improved last can be snugly fulcrumed in the shoe prior to and in anticipation of operating the toe or front spreaders of my improved last.

I might add that fulcruming the heel block of my improved last in the heel portion of the shoe will be a required condition preliminary to operating the front portion of my invention. The complaint thus met and overcome in lasts unequipped with my new device is the frequent necessity of the users to'shimmying by means of paper wadding or other space fillers placed :behind the heel block to hold the front portion of the unimproved last at the desired position in the shoe to effectually operate the toe or side spreaders. The lasts now in use are invariably forced backward in the shoe, and I fail to maintain their position set when the spreaders extend, thus proving wasteful, inefficient and practically useless.

A further object'of my invention is to improve devices of this character for the correction, care and maintenance of footwear, and to provide a simple, inexpensive and efficient devicevwhich can be applied to footwear by reason of its selfcontained sufiiciency, and which is adapted to function alone and at the maximum efficiency without the aid of any items not an integral partthereof.

A still further object of my invention is the construction of a device which by reason of its adaptability and variable dimensions can be made to function efliciently as a form fit shoe tree, thereby maintaining the correct shape, preventing warping and saggingwhile the foot wear is in storage or temporary disuse.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a device of this character,

wherein the parts thereof are readily accesture;

improved last;

Serial No. 352,684. V

sible, and the last can be inserted and extracted from the shoe with despatch,-the

device being of novel construction, light in weight; though normal and ordinary in its application, is ingenious in its mechanical operation, at the same time free from tendencies to disorder, and preferably con.-

'structed of aluminum, though a good grade of hardwood could be used in its manufac- A still further object of my invention is the construction of a lastof thisrcharacte'r wherein the pressures'will be proper and uniform in the shoe.

With these and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear as the description unfolds, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement vand combination of various parts of my device, wherebythe objects mentioned are attained, as hereinafter 6 more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure luis a side elevational View of my a v Figure 2 is atop plan view; 1 Figure 3 is a top plan view with the rear and front portion extended;

Figure 4 is a central longitudinal view of the section on the line H of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section ion the line 5-5 of Figure 3; 1 Figure 6 is a cross sectional view onrthe line 66 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is an inside elevational view of one of the toe spreaders;

Figure 8 is a top plan and side elevation view of .the top plate;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure 3. r a, '91

In the drawings similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout. Referring to the drawings in detail the last is controlled and operated by handle 10 mounted on spindle 11 which said spindle 95 ll penetrates an eccentric bearing 12 and connects with top bevel gear 26 as shown in Figures 4: and 5. Eccentric bearing 12 rests upon flange 27 and is held in place by top plate 16 which said top plate 16 'ism attached to the body of the last by screws 24 as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 8.

Referring now specifically to Figure 4, the device is shown set for back or heel operation. Top bevel gear 26 is meshed with back bevel gear 28 attached to back plate 18, which said back plate 18 is held in place by removable screws 18'.

Heel worm 29 idling against knob 30 of front bevel gear 31 engages with bushing in heel 17.

In Figure 3 is shown the heel 17 partially extended by the functioning of heel worm 29, and in Figure 5, heel 17 is shown fully extended. Figure 3 shows a partial view of guide rod 25 morticed and welded to back plate 18, and on which said guide rod 25, heel 17 travels, as will be obvious.

Referring again to Figure 4, the placing of the device in the back or heel operation is effectuated by the movement of eccentric shift rod 15 to position 011 top plate 16 designated by cleat 14 as shown and clearly visualized in top plan view of Figure 2.

Passing from Figure 4 and referring specifically to Figure 5 the device is shown in front or toe operation. This is 'efl'ectuated by moving eccentric shift rod 15 to position on top plate 16 designated by cleat 13. The functioning of cleats 13 and 14 are clearly demonstrated in the view shown in Figure 8.

In the shifting of eccentric shift rod 15 from back to front position, the said shift rod travels on bevel plate 23 which said bevelpla'te 23 is welded to the'top of top plate 16, and in its full travel from cleat 14 to cleat 13 describesan arc of 90 degrees. Bevel plate 23 is in the shape of an elongated U and is beveled at both ends, being definitely shown'in the view of Figure 8.

In the movement of eccentric shift rod 15 from back position to front position disengagement is made at cleat 14, top bevel gear 26 is shifted thereby disengaging it from back bevel gear 28; top bevel gear 26 is swung in a protraction of 90 degrees and as the eccentricshiftrod 15 enters into cleat 13 top bevel gear 26 meshes into and engages the front bevel gear 31, thus placing the device into front or toe operation, all of which is clearly shown in Figure 5.

It will be observed that the front bevel gear 31 is larger than back bevel gear28, thus providing ample clearance when the device is in operation.

The device can be thrown into neutral or inoperative position by placing the eccentric shift rod 15 midway between cleats 13 and 14. 7

It is to be understood that the general functioning'of the device is simple in operation, shifting from one position to another is done readily and quickly, and requires no skill nor previous Instructions. The applicability of the device will be plainly apparent to anyone, though unacquainted with its mechanical construction.

Referring again specifically to Figure 5, the device is shown in front or toe operative position. Top bevel gear 26 is firmly meshed into and engaged with front bevel gear 31 which in turn drives front or toe worm 32, thereby moving traveler 34 which threadson toe worm 32 'as clearly shown in Figure (i-and "on the line 66 of Figure 3.

Pinioned to traveler 34 are twin levers 33 attachedto twin spreader-s 20 by pins 35 as clearly shown in Figure 6, and on the line '66 of Figure 3, also in Figure 2. Twin spreaders 20 pivot from toe stub 22 as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring now specifically to Figure 6, traveler 34 moves in trackway grooved in center piece 21 which is attached to ankle in block 19 (shown in Figure 1) and extends to toe stub 22. Center piece 21 is shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, and a cross sectional view of thecenter piece 21 is given in Figure '6. It willbe observed that twin levers 33 in describing their complete movements resemble the opening and closing of a fan.

Referring specifically to Figure 7, an inside elevational view is given of one of the spi'eaders 20, showing grooves provided in both to receive and encase. traveler 34 and twin levers 33 when the device is in closed position as shown in Figure 2.

Some changes may be made in the 'construction and arrangement of my invention above set forth without departing from the real purpose and spirit thereof; and it is the intention to cover by the following claims any modified form of construction driven elements, a swingable eccentric mount for one of said elements whereby it can be disengaged from the other element, and actuating means for said mount.

3. In a variably dimensionable'shoe last, a heel block independently adjustable, geared means for actuating said heel block and including a shiftable drive gear, an cecentric bear-ing carryinggsaid drive ge'a1; afnd means for swinging said bearing to engage and disengage said geared means.

4. In a variably dimensionable shoe last, a heel block independently adjustable, toe and side spreaders independently adjustable, actuating gears for said heel block .and spreaders, drive means for said gears, and an eccentric bearing cooperatively associated with said gears for shifting engaging and neutralizing the same.

5. In a variably dimensionable shoe last, a heel block independently adjustable, toe and side spreaders independently adjustable, actuating gears for said heel block and spreaders, drive means for said gears, an eccentric bearing cooperatively associated with said gears, and a shift rod secured to said eccentric bearing for actuating the same.

6. In a variably dimensionable shoe last, a heel block independently adjustable, toe and side spreaders independently adjustable, actuating gears for said heel block and spreaders, drive means for said gears, an cecentric bearing cooperatively associated with said gears for shifting engaging and neutralizing the same, a shift rod secured to said eccentric bearing for actuating the same, and a guide rod for holding said heel block from lateral or vertical movement.

7 In a variably dimensionable shoe last, a heel block independently adjustable, toe and side spreaders independently adjustable, actuating gears for said heel block and spreaders, drive means for said gears, levers secured to said spreaders and having an actuating connection with said spreader gear, and a removable confining plate for said drive means and gears.

8. In a variably dimensionable shoe last, a heel block independently adjustable, toe and side spreaders independently adjustable, actuating gears for said heel block and spreaders, drive means for said gears, levers secured to said spreaders and having an actuating connection with said spreader gear, a removable confining plate for said drive means and gears, and a guide rod slidably carrying said heel block.

9. In a variably dimensionable shoe last, a heel block independently adjustable, toe and side spreaders independently adjustable, actuating gears for said heel block and spreaders, drive means for said gears, levers secured to said spreaders and having an actuating connection with a spreader gear, and an eccentric bearing cooperatively associated with said gears for shifting engaging and neutralizing the same.

10. In a variably dimensionable shoe last, a heel block independently adjustable, toe and side spreaders independently adjustable, actuating gears for said heel block and spreaders, drive means for said gears, an eccentric bearing cooperatively associated with said gears, a shift rod secured to said eccentri'cibearingfor actuating'the same, a guide rod for::holdingsaid heeliblock from lateral or vertical: movement,.:a bearing-confining plate'carried by. said last, and keeper'means on'said plate for said shift rod. j

1 .i.l1'.-'- I'n a variably dimensionable. shoe last, a heel block independently adjustable, toe and "side spreaders independently adjustable,actuating gears for saidzheel block and spreaders, drive means.-for*said..gears, an

eccentric bearing cooperatively associated :fwith said gears, a shift rod secured to said eccentric bearing for actuating the same, and a bearing-confining plate carried by said" last, and keeper means on. said plate for said shift rod,

1 2. In a variably dimensionable shoe last,

a heel block independently. adjustable, toe and: side spreaders independently adjustable, levers carried by said spreaders, a

traveller to which said levers are connected,

a gear'having an operative connection with Stud traveller, a gear having an actuating connection with saidheel block for shifting the same, meansfor guiding said heel block a.

in its movement, a drive member selectively engageable wlth said gears, an eccentric carrier for salddrive member and pivoted in said last, a shift rod. for said eccentric carrier, a plate member cooperating with said last and overlying said eccentric carrier -member,-and keepermeans formed on sald plate for engaging said shift rod for hold- 13. In a variably dimensionable shoe last, a heel block, independently adjustable, toe and side spreaders independently adjustable,

levers carried by said spreaders, a traveller :to WlllChStlld levers are connected, a gear having .an operative connection withjsaid traveller, a gearihavingan actuating connection with said heel block for; shifting the same, means for guiding said'heel'block in its -movement,-. a drive member. selectively 1 en- "gageable' wlthsaid gears,=a'n eccentric carrier for said drive member and pivoted in said-last, shift means for said carrier, and ,said spreadershavlng recesses adapted to receivefsaid' levers when said spreaders are in closed position.

-mg the carrier stationary to dispose said' tdrlve member in-a predetermlned position.

and side spreaders independently adjustable, levers carried by said Spreaders, a traveller to which said levers are connected, a Worm operatively carrying said traveller, a gear on said worm for driving the same, said toe and side spreaders pivoted to the toe portion of the last at each side thereof, a drive gear having an operative connection with said heel block, drive means for said gears, means for guiding the heel block in its movement, an eccentric carrier for said drive means and pivoted in said last, a shift rod for said eccentric carrier, a plate member cooperating with said last to hold said carrier in place, and keeper means on said plate and adapted to hold said carrier and the drive means in a predetermined position.

16. In a shoe last having relatively movable portions, independently operable gear actuated means for certain of said portions, a master drive gear, a carrier for said mas- ,ter drive gear comprising an eccentric hearing in said last for selective engagement with said gear actuated means, and actuating means for said master drive gear working through said carrier.

17 In a shoe last having relatively movable portions, independently operable gear actuated means for certain of said portions, a master drive gear, a carrier for said master drive gear comprising an eccentric hearing in said last for selective engagement with said gear actuated means, actuating means for said master drive gear Working through said carrier, and adjusting means for said carrier for controlling the position of said master gear.

18. In a shoe last having relativel movable portions, independently operab e gear actuated means for certain of said portions, a master drive gear, a carrier for said master drive gear comprising an eccentric bean ing in said last for selective engagement with said gear actuated means, actuating means for said master drive gear working through said carrier, adjusting means for said carrier for controlling the position of said master gear, a plate carried by said last and confining said carrier in place, and keeper members carried by said plate for engaging said carrier adjusting means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

ISADORE MOSKOW'Q 

